Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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302. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans regarding the JobBridge scheme and to stop new entrants to the scheme in September 2016; if any scheme which is introduced will continue to allow primary schools to provide internships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15548/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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JobBridge was launched in 2011 at a time of massive economic uncertainty and widespread unemployment. Companies were simply not hiring because they couldn't afford to recruit, and, in many cases, insisted on a minimum level of experience. But large numbers of new jobseekers and people who lost their jobs in the recession couldn't get the relevant workplace experience they needed to get a first or a new job.

That crisis is now over, the economy is growing and employers are hiring again. The labour market has changed and new graduates and other jobseekers are once again finding work. These changed circumstances mean that it is timely to consider whether or not a state- sponsored internship/work experience scheme is still required and, if so, what form such it should take.

While I acknowledge that JobBridge has been a successful scheme and served a useful purpose during the period of recession, I am also mindful of the criticisms that have been made of the scheme and I intend to replace it later this year with a scheme that is better suited to the changed economic circumstances.

JobBridge is currently the subject of an external independent evaluation and I will use the outcome of the review, due to be produced in September this year, to inform what changes should be made to improve outcomes for Jobseekers and value for money for the State.

All internships that commence before September 2016 will be honoured by the Department.